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READ: Mark 15:1-5
LISTEN: Mark 15

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:3-5

Jesus is now at his real trial, the one that will determine his fate. His previous trial, before the religious leaders, was only a pretrial designed to fabricate charges they hoped would lead to his execution. The religious leaders don’t want Jesus just sent away. They want him humiliated and killed. So, they repeat their accusation that Jesus is a king. This would get the quick attention of Rome, who is always on the lookout for revolutions that need to be quashed immediately. Jesus, by accepting the title “Son of (king) David” and riding into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of “Hosanna!” acts very king-like. Here, he gives Pilate a non-committal answer.

We might also ask, who is Jesus? We can have a lot of answers: a good teacher, a religious leader, a good person, a moral example to follow or someone we need to read but not necessarily follow. The real question we need to answer is: Do we see Jesus as just a nice person or the true king of heaven, the Son of God, the God-man who came to die for our sins? Because seeing him for who he truly is requires giving him authority as the King and Lord of our lives.

TODAY: If you’ve never received Jesus as King and Lord of your life, today could be your day to make that decision. If you have, consider if you’ve allowed Jesus to rule over every part of your life. Then pray, thanking God for Jesus’s kingship and the salvation from your sin that he offers.